ExxonMobil shuts Singapore units for maintenance

SINGAPORE (ICIS news)--ExxonMobil Singapore Refinery said on Friday it has started the shutdown of several operating units at its 309,000 bbl/day Jurong site for planned maintenance. ?xml:namespace>

The overall duration of the scheduled maintenance at the facility was expected to last about seven weeks, the US-based energy major said in a statement.

The company’s spokeswoman, however, declined to confirm whether the benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX) unit at the site was shut down as well.

The company produces 300,000 tonnes/year of benzene, 180,000 tonnes/year of toluene and 400,000 tonnes/year of paraxylene (PX).

Shutting the units down would provide an opportunity for detailed inspection of equipment normally in continuous operation, routine maintenance and installation of facility improvement projects, ExxonMobil said.

“Unit shutdowns such as this are infrequent, but are necessary to ensure continued safe and reliable operations,” it added.

ExxonMobil Singapore Refinery has another 296,000 bbl/day facility located on

Jurong island.

Both facilities process 605,000 bbl/day of crude into fuels and feedstock for the company’s chemical plants and customers. The refinery also manufactures industrial and automotive lubricants.